Hydromassage device

ABSTRACT

Hydromassage device comprising rotatable disc with water inlet and at least two water outlets which deliver water in streams so located as to create a torque and rotate the disc and to apply small, rotating, concentrated streams of water rather than large currents of water.

United States Patent HYDROMASSAGE DEVICE v '[75 Inventor: Howard M. Arneson, San Rafael,

Calif. [73] Assignee: Arneson Products Inc., San Rafael,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 386,699

{52] US. Cl. 128/66 [51} Int. Cl A6lh 9/00 [58] Field of Search 128/66, 65, 56, 24.1, 24.2

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,101,804 6/1914 Lauter 128/66 [451 Mar. 4, 1975 2,595,491 5/1952 Schweikert 128/66 UX 2,682,868 7/1954 Fortin 123/66 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 130,417 4/1902 Germany 128/66 Primary E.raminer-Lawrence W. Trapp [57] ABSTRACT Hydromassage device comprising rotatable disc with water inlet and at least two water outlets which deliver water in streams so located as to create a torque and rotate the disc and to apply small, rotating, concentrated streams of water rather than large currents of water 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HYDROMASSAGE DEVICE This invention relates to a hydromassage device which is simple in construction and operation, which can be used with water supplied by an ordinary water tap in a swimming pool, in a bathtub, etc. and which had a pleasing effect, and is particularly adapted to use under water. 7

Massage devices presently available are not readily adapted to underwater use because they are electrically operated and are, therefore, dangerous to use under water and/or they are rather complex and expensive devices which, for example, depend upon maintaining a flow or current of water in a large body of water such as a pool or a bathtub. Moreover, a common hydromassage device merely circulates a large body of water without an adequate massaging effect.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective hydromassage device capable of use under water, without the hazards, complications and expense of devices heretofore available.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydromassage device which is more effective than massage devices that merely cause a large body of water to circulate.

The above and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the drawings, in which:

FIG. I shows the device of the invention applied to the thigh of a person under water;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotating jet part of the device showing a portion of the connecting hose or tubing which supplies the water;

FIG. 3 is a vertical mid-section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are vertical sections taken midway through each of the two nozzles showing how they are at an angle to one another.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 2 and 3, the device is generally indicated by the reference numeral and it comprises a head member 11 connected by a connector member 12, a connector tube 13 and a nut 14 to a flexible hose 15. The flexible hose may be of ordinary type which is widely available, and it is connected at its other end (now shown) to a source of water under pressure. For example, the other end of the tube 15 may be connected by an adapter, by an expansible fitting or by a threaded fitting to the water tap of a bathtub or adjacent a pool.

The head portion 11 comprises a disc or cylindrical member 16, preferably made of plastic such as nylon, polyester, polyethylene, etc. The disc 16 has a lower face 16a and an upper face 16b. The plastic disc 16 is shown as a single piece which is drilled out to provide an interior cavity 17 which communicates with the inlet and with the outlets, as hereinafter described. An open ing 18 formed in drilling'out the cavity 17 is closed by a plug 19. Alternatively, the head member or disc 16 may be made in two parts by molding and the two parts joined together as by an adhesive, by heat sealing or by mechanical means such as screws. Two passages 20 are shown which, as illustrated, are on the same diameter. However, it is not necessary that the two openings 20 be on the same diameter. There may be three or more such openings if desired. However, the construction shown is simple and is quite effective and for such reasons it is preferred. Each of the outlet openings 20 widens at 21 to provide a well or countersink area, into each of which a nozzle 25 is seated. Each nozzle 25 has a wide head portion 26, a central passageway 27 and a neck 28 having a central passageway 29. The neck 28 may be of dimensions such that it fits snugly when applied by pressure into the respective outlet passage 20, or a water-resistant adhesive may be used. The upper face 26 of each of the nozzles 25, as shown, preferably does not protrude above the upper face 16b of the disc 16. If desired, the nozzles may protrude somewhat or they may be located entirely below the face l6b.To minimize hard, unpleasant contact with the flesh, it is preferred that the nozzle members 25, which may be of metal construction, do not protrude. The nozzles 25 may also be of plastic construction.

The bottom portion of the disc 16 is provided with an inlet tube 35 fitted within a central passageway 36 which is coaxial to the disc 16. The tube 35 may be lodged by a forced fitting or it may be secured in place by an adhesive or both such means may be employed. If the disc 16 is made in two molded parts, the tube 35 may be an integral molded part.

The tube 35 forms part of a connector 12 which may be of any suitable type which allows free rotation of disc 16. The connector 12 is shown in FIG. 3 as having a construction like that shown in my US. Pat. No. 3,372,948 to which reference may be made for details not herein described in full. This is a preferred form of connector or coupling.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tube 35 is connected to the axially aligned connector tube 13 by a rotary coupling which includes a housing 36. As will be seen, the tube 13 is affixed by a nut 14 to the tube or hose 15. The tubes 35 and 13 have flanged ends 37 and 38, respectively, which are separated by a washer 39 and an O- ring seal 40. Screws 45 affix the housing 36 to the tube 35. A ball bearing assembly 47 is lodged between the flanged bottom of housing 36 and the flange 39. This assembly provides a connection which is water tight (although complete sealing is not required because the device is normally used under water) and which allows free rotation of disc 16.

As will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the nozzles 25 are tilted and the tilting is in opposite directions whereby when water issues from the jet streams a torque is created and rotates the disc 16. The effect is to impinge rotating jets or streams of water onto the body, as shown in FIG. 1 as applied under water to a persons thigh. This circular impingement of concentrated streams of water has a very pleasing effect. The device is best used under Water, but it may be used out of water, for example, in a stall shower. For example, in a popular type of massage bath widely used today, large currents of water are created which do not have the concentrated effect of the streams issuing from the device of this invention. These rotating streams depress the skin locally and cause a very pleasing, rapidly moving massaging effect which is absent in the device mentioned above.

I claim:

1. A hydromassage device comprising a body member having an upper face, a lower face and a centrally located inlet on its lower face, means for connecting the body member by way of its inlet to a source of water under pressure, such means allowing free rotation of the body member, at least one jet nozzle on the upper face of the body member, said jet nozzle being substantially in or below the plane of said upper face and means for rotating the body member while water is issuing from the jet nozzle.

2. The hydromassage device of claim 1 wherein said rotating means is hydraulic and is operated by the issuing stream or streams of water issuing from the jet nozzle or nozzles.

3. A hydromassage device comprising a body member having an upper face, a lower face and a centrally located inlet on its lower face, means connecting the body member via its inlet on its lower face, means connecting the body member via its inlet to a source of water under pressure, such means allowing free rotation of the body member, and at least two jet orifices on the upper face of said body member adapted to direct issuing streams of water so as to create a torque and rotate the body member and apply rotating streams of water to the skin of a person using the device, each said jet orifice being located substantially in the plane of said upper face.

4. A hydromassage device comprising a body having a central axis, an upper face and a 'water inlet and means supporting the body for rotation about said central axis, means for so rotating the body, means for applying water to said inlet, and at least one outlet in the form of a jet nozzle, such outlet being in fluid communication with said inlet and being substantially flush with or below the level of said upper face. 

1. A hydromassage device comprising a body member having an upper face, a lower face and a centrally located inlet on its lower face, means for connecting the body member by way of its inlet to a source of water under pressure, such means allowing free rotation of the body member, at least one jet nozzle on the upper face of the body member, said jet nozzle being substantially in or below the plane of said upper face and means for rotating the body member while water is issuing from the jet nozzle.
 2. The hydromassage device of claim 1 wherein said rotating means is hydraulic and is operated by the issuing stream or streams of water issuing from the jet nozzle or nozzles.
 3. A hydromassage device comprising a body member having an upper face, a lower face and a centrally located inlet oN its lower face, means connecting the body member via its inlet on its lower face, means connecting the body member via its inlet to a source of water under pressure, such means allowing free rotation of the body member, and at least two jet orifices on the upper face of said body member adapted to direct issuing streams of water so as to create a torque and rotate the body member and apply rotating streams of water to the skin of a person using the device, each said jet orifice being located substantially in the plane of said upper face.
 4. A hydromassage device comprising a body having a central axis, an upper face and a water inlet and means supporting the body for rotation about said central axis, means for so rotating the body, means for applying water to said inlet, and at least one outlet in the form of a jet nozzle, such outlet being in fluid communication with said inlet and being substantially flush with or below the level of said upper face. 